Vine fears Newell exit

Striker Rowan Vine believes it would be “devastating” for Luton if manager Mike Newell were to leave.

Newell has repeatedly stressed his desire to stay at Kenilworth Road but has been linked with the vacant Southampton job after guiding the Hatters to fifth in the Championship following promotion last season.

Vine, 23, knows Newell’s success is likely to alert other clubs.

“The manager has taken this club from the wrong half of League One to the top half of the Championship, so you have to expect other clubs to look at him,” Vine said.

“If he were to leave, we would be devastated and it would be a real test for us. The manager has done very well and the players like him.

“He sees the game brilliantly. Whenever he has said something to me about my game, I have never been able to argue.

“Some managers just bang on about the same things, but Mike Newell has the ability to see the game as it is.”